When In France Do As The French Woman Does

We revere their style; dissect their fashion thinking and comment on them endlessly.

Sometimes I feel, enough is enough and we go too overboard in thinking the French woman has all the answers; of course she doesn’t and for every well put together French woman on the streets of Paris there are others who aren’t quite as “in the know”. There are beautiful women the world over rocking enviable personal styles and oftentimes we do forget about them in favour of our French icons. I try not to be biased but as France is on my doorstep and France is where I take my inspiration; the French woman is my muse.

I was reminded these last couple of weeks about the importance of pretty under garments. I truly believe French women start their personal grooming from the inside when it comes to their appearance. Even in the quiet Provencal villages the lingerie and underwear shops are gorgeous.

From my observation, French woman care about every aspect of their appearance and just because it’s not on show doesn’t mean it doesn’t count. It is a different philosophy to the one I once followed; I worked on what to wear outside and didn’t much think about the goings on inside. I grew up thinking good underwear was just-in-case, just in case you got caught short and ended up in hospital and were showing your all or just in case the wind lifted your skirt and your knickers made an appearance. All those years I wasted when I should have been wearing the pretty every single day.

I have a feeling French girls were much smarter than me!

 

It doesn’t need to be all lace and ribbons, lingerie comes in all forms and all shapes and sizes but the real truth is what you wear on the inside can make you feel fabulous on the outside. Whether the pounds have gathered around the middle or the legs are feeling a little bumpy, it doesn’t matter. A beautiful chemise, a pretty bra or a flattering camisole makes everything better and more importantly boosts our self-confidence.

The art to wearing lingerie well is buying the right pieces to suit; lingerie to suit you, what you wear and your lifestyle. Good lingerie should not only look and feel fabulous but fit to flatter. Lingerie is like any clothing; there are every day pieces and pieces for more special occasions. Planning your underwear wardrobe is no different to creating a signature look or a capsule wardrobe for travel.

I have learned with lingerie shopping it is all about trial and error and when I find something to make me feel feminine and to flatter I stick with it, I buy in multiples and most of all I love wearing it. How I feel underneath is my little secret but those pretties can put a spring in a slow step some days.

 

 

I have come to understand self-confidence and the importance it plays in our personal style; this starts with the very first piece we put on. There is something very luxurious and feel-good about wearing good underwear.

I really do think the French woman is onto something. xv